Mountainsmith Frostfire II

Bombproof, functional, comfortable pack for 3 day to 3 week trips. Have used mine hard and happily for over 25 YEARS, plan on 25 more.

I'm 5' 10", 180 lbs.  Bought my Frostfire expedition pack in the mid 90's for a month in Alaska, carried all over the Brooks Range, Denali State Park, Kenai, Kennicott area - always comfortable and easy to use.  Dozens of trips in the 25+ years since then (N Cascades - Baker, St Helens, Adams, Goat Rocks, PCT), Canadian Coast Range, Olympics, and most recently a week in The Needles District in UT - rock squeezes and dirt, sand and sun - no problem except the pocket zipper that finally went.  Gosh, it only lasted 27 years.

But wait, Mountainsmith said take off the top pocket, mail it to them, and they'll fix the zipper and send it back, no charge.  Now THAT"S what I'm talkin' about.  Can't wait to fill it up and head out again - thanks everyone at Mountainsmith!

Background

Decades of trips in all kinds of wilderness environments. I own and still use two different Kelty frame packs - a BB5 (got new in 1977), and a 1985 dual compartment edition (RIP, Dad!), a luxurious 1975 Snow Lion down bag, various Kelty clothing, the inimitable JanSport D-2 pack (most of these I ordered from Eastern Mountain Sports catalogs, the original backcountry porn, am I right?).

Sad to say I'm having to accept that even carefully maintained tents like my '94 Stretch Dome can't be fixed (zippers again) and their lost waterproofing really can't be redone, or the urethane stink tolerated! Last trip was with my daughter north of Snoqulaimie Pass in a new North Face StormBreak that I found pretty impressive for comfort in N. Cascades rain.

Okay, I've heard complaints and criticisms over the years about this pack, and quite honestly I don't understand all the whining.

I bought my pack in 1995 or 1996. It was on sale, and I thought Mountainsmith was a reputable company. I tried out the pack in the store and looked at the construction: It looked solid. And, in my judgment of the pack over the years it has been a gem. I used to use it on the trail, but life has made extended trip very infrequent now. So I use the pack for travel a lot, which can be tougher on a backpack than bushwhacking.

I remember, after buying the bag, my friend told me he knew a guy whose Frostfire disintigrated on the trail, but my pack is virtually in the same condition today as it was when I bought it.

When I pack it, I pack it reasonably; I don't over pack it. I readjust the straps everytime I take off the pack. And, I only wash the pack by hand. I think these are some reasons for the packs longevity. Granted, I haven't used the pack as much as some hikers use their equipment, but I believe I got my $150-175 out of the thing.

I still think Mountainsmith is a good company with moderate prices compared to other companies like North Face (shady packs!), Mountain Hardware, and Dana Design (with these, however, you pay for what you get from what I hear.)

Well that's my 2 cents.

Decent bag and a reputable company stands behind it.

I've had this bag forever. Used and abused it during scouting as a young kid (14-18 yr old). When I pulled it out of storage to start getting back into the outdoors I found out some of the plastic clips have become brittle and when I went to adjusted them they snapped.

I shot a quick e-mail to Mountainsmith. Not expecting much for such an old bag I was blown away when they APPROVED WARRANTY REPAIRS on the bag! My jaw dropped because I was half expecting to have to purchase a new pack.

Pack rids well when adjusted.

Pack stuffs well for just being a big tube.

Lots of adjustment to get the perfect fit.

Yadda yadda yadda I like this bag.

When I bought this pack I was stoked. I thought I did my homework on it. Not so. I have yet to be impressed with it.

I took it for three months in the Amazon jungle and the Andes Mtns. The suspension system is nice, but the lumbar support kept slipping out of its sleave. This would make the entire pack ride wrong on my back. It was always leaning to one side.

The fact that it does not have a shelf over the sleeping bag compartment was also a pain. I was always craming my gear back up to get my bag back in.

The pack is kinda on the heavy side also.

There are so many straps everywhere. Too many! Even the water holsters are hard to get at. Sorry Mtn.Smith, thumbs down from this mountaineer.

I traded it in for a new Lowe Alpine Crossfire 90-15. It rocks, check it out for yourself. I'm using it for a long expedition in Africa this summer!

Catch ya on a trail sometime.

I bought this pack around Christmas of '96. I love this pack. It has everything you could want!! It has every bell and every whistle.

Some of the highlights of this pack are/is the suspension!! It can be fit to each side of your body. It also has a handy map pocket. (or so that's what i use it for) The suspension!! wow!! i tested it out by loading it up and jumping on my trampoline!! The sucker didn't buge at all around my back!! The only thing i would add to it is interchangeable parts. Which mountainsmith has done this year.

It is a great pack FOR ME!! REMEMBER THAT: IT ISN'T HOW IT LOOKS. IT ISN'T HOW IT FEELS ON YOUR NEIGHBOOR. IT IS HOW IT FITS ON YOU!! You are the only one who can get the right fit!

Something of a disappointment considering the glowing recommendation that caused me to buy it in the first place.

* Never quite got the suspension system to work well enough for my needs.

* Straps securing the pack to the alumninum stays tended to slip of the tops -- had to readjust them regularly.

* Hip belt tended to slip down...no matter how "by-the-book" I made the adjustments.

* Looked and felt like an overstuffed potatoe sack -- lumps and all -- when fully loaded.

On the other hand, I gave it to my college-age son...and he's apparently happy with it. So it goes.

Perhaps Mountainsmith has improved things since (I bought this in '94). Wouldn't get another though.

This is an earlier version. Pre-tape measure style. '94-'95. I took several frustrating trips before I finally "dialed in" the straps to fit me.

I am comfortable with 35.0-40.0 lbs. Beyond that the the adjustments at the top of the metal rib inserts start unsnapping. I had to duct tape them to keep the pack working.

I'll take a Mountainsmith again.

This pack did not fit me very well at all. The stays had height measurements on them but it seemed like they were more like selling gizmos rather than really useful. I have recently switched to a Dana Terraplane and it made a world of difference.

Owned this pack for several years. I'm happy with the pack in general, although Mountainsmith does seem to go overboard with straps and gizmos. Pack has performed well and suffered much abuse without complaint.

A very comfortable pack with lots of bells and whistles.

Some of the stitching on the suspension seems inadequate but after two years of constant abuse I've never had a problem!

I love this pack. I have been using it for extended backcountry, climbing and traditional backpacking.